BOOK XXI. cv. 179-CV1. 183 



erytliron," or neuras,'' or (as a few did) perisson," 

 but there is no need to go into more details even for 

 the sake of giving a warning. There is besides 

 another kind, with the name of halicacabos, which 

 is soporific, and kills quicker even than opium, by 

 some called morion and by others moly, yet praised 

 by Diocles and Evenor, by Timaristus indeed even 

 in verse, with a strange forgetfulness of harmless 

 remedies, actually because it is, they say, a quick 

 remcdy for strengthening loose teeth to rinse them 

 in wine and halicacabos. They added a proviso, that 

 the rinsing must not go on too long, for delirium is 

 caused thereby. Remedies should not be described 

 the use of which involves the danger of a yet more 

 serious evil. Accordingly, although a third kind of 

 this plant is in favour as a food, and although its 

 flavour is preferred to that of other garden produce, 

 and although Xenocrates prescribes trychnos as 

 being beneficial for every bodily ill, )'et the genus 

 is not so helpful that I consider it right on this 

 account to give any more details, especially when the 

 supply is so abundant of harmless remedies. The 

 root of halicacabos is taken in drink by those who, 

 to confirm superstitious notions, wish to play the 

 inspired prophet, and to be pubUcly seen raving in 

 impretended madness. The remedy for it, which 

 I am happier to mention, is a copious draught of 

 hot hydromel. Nor will I pass over this : that hali- 

 cacabos is so antipathetic to the nature of asps that if 

 its root be brought near it stupefies that very power 

 of tlieirs to kill by stupefaction. Therefore pounded 

 and in oil it is a help to those who have been bitten. 

 CVI. Corchorum'^ is a plant eaten at Alexandria. 

 It has rolled up leaves, Hke those of the mulberry, 



289 



